Hinge structure



1950 w. A. HEILMANN 2,493,530

HINGE STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 13, 1947 IN V EN TOR. WZiQWJ-Hllfidy,

Patented Jan. 3, 1 950 HINGE STRUCTURE William A. Heilmann, Orange, N. J., asslgnor to Newark Rivet Works, Newark, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application November 13, 1947, Serial No. 785,622

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in hinge structures for pivotally connecting the bodies and covers of containers, and especially of containers of the luggage type.

The invention has for an object to provide novel hinge means adapted to pivotally join the body and cover of a container at corners thereof, whereby not only to furnish the desired hinging connection between these parts, but also to serve as corner reenforcements for said body and cover parts, and thus contribute to the strengthening and durability of the container.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container equipped with a corner hinge structure of this invention, the container being shown in closed condition; and Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the container shown in open condition.

Fig. 3 is a top edge elevation, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a corner hinge according to this invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

The novel hinge structure of this invention comprises a lower hinge leaf is having hinge knuckles I I spaced along its upper inner longitudinal edge,

and an upper hinge leaf l2 having like hinge knuckles I3 spaced along its lower or inner longitudinal edge, but in staggered relation to the knuckles H of the hinge leaf ID so as to interfit therewith in axial alignment for the reception of a hinge pin or pintle l4, whereby said lower and upper hinge leaves are operatively joined in pivotally interconnected relation.

Formed integrally with the lower hinge leaf It, to extend rearwardly from an outer end thereof at right angles to the rear face plane of said lower hinge leaf, is a side plate l5. Said hinge leaf Ill and side plate l5, as thus right angularly related and joined provide a unitary lower corner piece l6.

In like manner, formed integrally with the upper hinge leaf 62, to extend rearwardly from its outer end at right angles to the rear face plane thereof, is a side plate ll. Said hinge leaf l2 and side plate IT, as thus right angularly related 2 and joined provide a unitary upper corner piece l8.

Provided in connection with the lower or inner margin of the side plate I! of the upper corner piece it, preferably as an integral portion thereof, is an outwardly offset and dependent lap flange member l9, which, when the hinge structure is closed, overlaps the outer face of the side plate E5 of the lower corner piece IS, with both seam covering and hinge structure reenforcing effect.

The hinge leaf l0 and side plate l5 of the corner piece I6 are each provided with openings 20 for the reception of fastening means 2|, such as rivets, screws or the like, for attaching this one member of the hinge structure to the body A of a centainer; and, in like manner, the hinge leaf l2 and side plate [7 of the corner piece iii are each provided with openings 22 for the reception of like fastening means 23 for attaching this other member of the hinge structure to the cover B of a container (see Figs. 1 and 2).

The hinge structures, formed as above described, are furnished in pairs, constituting right and left corner hinges to be respectively mounted upon and secured to opposite corners of the body and cover parts of a container to be served thereby.

It will be obvious from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings that not only will the novel corner hinge structures of this invention pivotally unite the body and cover parts of a container but will, at the same time, also strongly reenforce said parts against relative displacement, and in resistance to injury when the container is transported. The interlocking of the side plates [5 and I! of the hinge structures by the lap flange members l9 provide additional reenforcing and strengthening of the body and cover parts of the container when the latter is closed.

In addition to the above noted practical advantages of the novel corner hinge structures of my invention, the same also is of novel and attractive appearance when operatively mounted on a container to be served thereby.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

Corner hinge means for pivotally joining cover and body parts of a container comprising a lower corner piece consisting in right angularly disposed unitary hinge leaf and side plate elements, and a complementary upper corner piece also consisting in right angularly disposed unitary hinge leaf and side plate elements, said hinge leaf elements of said corner pieces having hinge knuckles mutually interengaged in axial aligne ment, a hinge pintle extending through said REFERENCES CITED 7 hinge knuckles, and the side plate of said upp The following references are of record in the corner piece having an outwardly offset dependme of this patent. ent lap flange member coextensive with the length thereof and formed with an internal shoulder to 5 UNITED S TE S abut the upper edge of the outer face of the side Number Name Date plate of said lower corner piece when the hinge 214,932 Maier Apr. 29, 1879 means iS closBdtofliSDOSB the lap flange member (Tr-185M185; g 1895 in overleppedrelejtion' to said latter side plate. 762,952 Slama 3113x521, 1904 WIN-JAM HEILMANN- ,7 1,590,177 Andreotti June 29, 1926 

